A Breakthrough on H.R. 4213, the Unemployment Insurance/Tax Extenders Bill?

An amendment from Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., to strike $25 a week in extra unemployment compensation from a nearly $140 billion package of benefit payments and tax breaks could shore up support among wavering senators concerned about its deficit impact. Senate Majority Leader Reid sought to cut off debate by filing cloture on the measure Monday, which as drafted would add about $79 billion to the deficit over a decade.

Tester’s amendment would only trim about $6 billion from that figure. But it could be seen as a gesture toward the position espoused by Blue Dogs and Senate Democrats like Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Evan Bayh of Indiana, who are holding out for cost cuts.

The bill in question is H.R. 4213, the “American Jobs and Tax Loophole Closing Act of 2010,” which, among many other things, would extend the filing deadline for extended unemployment insurance benefits until Nov. 30, 2010. Congress has been in a stalemate over how to pass this bill amidst worries about adding to the deficit with a contentious mid-term looming and a partisan fight over who should see their tax bill increase as a pay-for — oil companies or hedge fund managers.

The New York Times ran an editorial on the issue today: “Since June 1, when federal unemployment benefits began to expire, an estimated 325,000 jobless workers have been cut off. That number will swell to 1.25 million by the end of the month unless Congress extends the benefits.”

Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid [D, NV]filed for cloture on the bill yesterday, meaning that a vote to wrap up the debate and move towards final passage could take place later today. If the Tester amendment really is the silver bullet that’s needed here, Reid is hoping the Senate can pass the bill by the end of the week. It will have to go back to the House of Representatives for a vote on agreeing to the Senate amendments before it can be signed into law.

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I can’t believe these guys are worried about a deficit while they let America’s unemployed flounder and stress over not having an income to pay their bills and keep their homes while they continue to fund 2 unnessary wars and have spent billions to bail out banks who caused this recession {Depression} in the first place.This is inexcusable! I know this will not be forgotten come election time.

But NAFTA stepped in, and ruined the whole thing. Look up NAFTA on the Internet, and you will see why nothing is made here anymore. So we don’t have jobs. With that in mind,, you owe me money, or create a job that will pay me money. “NOT MINNUM WAGE EITHER” You can’t buy a house or car on that kind of pay. And on decent pay, with money flowing in and out of Banks, That’s what will end this Depression.

Abolish NAFTA, Kai-son, and don’t give tax breaks for Corporate Greed!
This will help end this DEPRESSION.
If you don’t think that this country can become a 3rd world nation,,, take a closer look…
These politicians should be limited to 1 year terms. If they can’t get the job done, then throw them out… Part 2.

Lets get it done NOW, not the end of the week ! STOP messing with peoples lives, while you sit comfy in ur seats , Bullshitting people and playing games, taking paid days off, paid vacations. STOP and think about the Americans who put you in those seats and rely on you! to make the right choices, just as they did when they VOTED for YOU!

I lost my job to Corporate Greed, it went to Mexico. Was put on TRA.
I went to school, graduated in the Medical field with a 3.9 GPA. There were still no jobs out in the Detroit Area. So we lost our house, and all our funds. It was a good thing while we were working people, that we bought a retirement home in Northern, Michigan. We now live there. So now with the government not paying us,,, am I suppose to go threw this again… This is ridiculous. We paid for years into unemployment, we should be entitled to it.
As far as I am concerned. You took away my job and put me out on the street. So just because your banks, and businesses are on hard times and entitled to funds, “SO ARE WE” I did not ask to be laid off, I was content with my small job.

I lost my job due to it being outsourced to Mexico for cheaper labor. The only thing good that has come of it is that I’m back in school retraining for another job. But now I find out my unemployment has exhausted and I don’t graduate until December; if I start receiving TRA benefits they run out in Nov. WTF am I suppose to do? There is no money coming in; my husband finally goes back to his job in July after being laid off for 2 yrs, but that won’t pay all the bills he has to drive 45 mins. each way to go to this job. And we don’t quailify for any food stamps or state medical coverage because “we make to much money”! I have been working and paying into this system since I was 15 yrs old and now when I NEED HELP I can’t get it; but they can give it to illigal aliens and people on drugs. Where is the fairness in this? Thank you Congress for allowing all of OUR AMERICAN JOBS TO BE OUTSOURCED AND LETTING ILLEGAL ALIENS HAVE WHAT I HAVE PAY INTO ALL OF MY WORKING LIFE!

Please don’t go hungry. There are food banks and pantries that will help tide you over until you can get back on your feet. There is no shame in accepting this kind of help. There is only shame that our country has come to this while Washington seems not to hear us.

Yes there are food banks and you are right to try
But me white woman over 50 no dependents I cant get any help and where do I live when the UI stops and I cant pay rent. I will be done I have worked all my life never collected anything until I was laid off 15 months ago I wont be homeless I wont live with anyone I will give up I worked through illness so I could be a team player for what?? Never thought like some to take advantage of the system what a a$%$ I was I should have listen to the doctors but not me I can still work I can still earn a living right…
They will be one less to count in the unemployment numbers. But bet me the people who “WE HAVE IN OFFICE” will work 4-5 hours a day and laugh all the way to the bank.
sorry I have just had it no sleep my cobra ends this month then no meds I can only hope without meds my heart will just stop…. I am so angry that we are even having this disscusion had I only been illegal and had a lot of kids I would be just fine.

Judi: Don’t give up and throw in the towel, and let them win! There not worth it. If you have a serious medical condition, Go to Social Security. I went in November, and was being pd. by February. In the meantime they let me collect my unemployment. “which by the way is going to pass! They will be taking away $25.00 a week though.” So they are coming to terms. Saw in on Good Morning America today.
Also contact your United Way because you are laid off, you are entitled to what ever they offer. Help with bills, Doctors, Mortgage Food from the churches, and much, much more. They have a 211#. That’s it just dial 211 and if it is available in your area you will be connected. If not try your local United Way, and see what they offer. It’s all free to you, MEDICATION included at a small fee. Good Luck, and don’t give up.
The above info is free for anyone who wants to try to call. There is no hidden fee to them at all.

Judi I truly understand how you feel I too am looking at 50 and have been laid off for 21 months and there are absolutely no jobs in my area of Ky. I write my senators and Representative daily this morning I got a letter from Ed Whitfield who wanted to explain to me why he voted no and guess what all he did was point his finger at the Democrats and blame them for the over extended budget. He need not insult my intelligence how in the hell does he think we got in this mess if not for him and the Bush Admin I would still be working instead of facing losing my home and my dignity. I’m sick and tired of paying them to do nothing if I had a say I would fire them all and balance this mess out myself I couldn’t do any worse at least I could work a five day work week without taking a vacation! So hang in there and call the pharmaceutical company some of them will give you your meds if you can’t afford them.

Mr. Obama chooses to send 400 million to Palestine for relief and aid. Meanwhile honest hardworking Americans who have contributed towards these benefits can’t pay their mortgage, utilities or put food on the table. My family is so blessed that we have family living nearby that have been helping us out with groceries and such. But not all families have that safetynet. I’m from Indiana and you can bet I’m watching how my reps are voting. Prayers out to all.

These Senators and Congressmen are living off “the fat of the land”… The “fat” we gave them by electing them into office! Why should they hurry? After all, it isn’t their livelihood that’s at stake. They aren’t hungry, homeless or asset poor! They haven’t had to sell most everything they worked hard to get in order to try to keep their homes or food on their tables! I contributed to the economy for 33 years without filing a single unemployment claim. These people don’t see the unemployed people of America as contributing factors any longer. They see us as “national debt”. How in the world can we contribute if we don’t have anything to contribute to it with? How can we apply for jobs when there aren’t any to be had? I’m not lazy nor am I looking for a hand-out! I’m just asking for some assistance until I can find a job that will let me help myself again. Please! Don’t wait any longer! Pass HR 4312 today!

We have seen their complete disreguard for what was the middle class. Their greed and shameful misuse of the power we gave them. They sold there votes to the rich and powerful. They lied and cheated and sold us out. These are the senators and representatives that without the slightest grain of remorse are about to stick it to us again. I wonder if they are waiting for us to march in the streets. It would not surprise me to hear one of them say " Let them eat cake"

Please if Republicans are truly faith based people they will know that it is the Christian thing to do…Please do not make the Americans suffer more because of your differences between the parties. We are just hanging on by our fingers to survive. I personally never thought I would be in this position. Husband worked for years with the union and was forced out due to forced reductions. This was for a very LARGE company. This was several months ago and we are barely surviving. We have been able to keep our home so far. But with both the mortgage and Cobra payments we are at the end of our savings. Now we have to decide to we quit paying the mortgage or Cobra. Please do not delay this decision any longer. The American people are at the end of their ropes. Most of us are hard working individuals. Please do not dismiss us like we are nothing. I pray that help is on the way soon. God Bless America to due the right thing…

For the love of God, please help us. You bail out the rich with tax cuts and banks that caused alot of the problems. Now for the love of the American people don’t leave us hanging on for our life’s. Most of us have worked hard most of our lifes only to be laid off by big corporation. That is what happened to me. I worked for the telecommunications industry and was forced out after many years. The union that I paid into for years and years was absolutely NO help. Just organized crime. Please extend unemployment and Cobra. We the American people have no where to turn. God Bless

Please we ask you to help us! My husband is out of unemployment He was due to go to another tier this coming Sunday. I just filed my last unemployment week last Sunday and was to go to tire 3! We have worked are whole life.There are no jobs here!I lose cobra on July11! The stress that everyone is under! Waiting to see if the bill will pass.My dr is worried because my bp has been going up higher and higher the longer we have been out of work.

It is a shame that our government thinks helping the American people feed there kids, and put a roof over there heads is a waste of money. The poor and the middle class are now on the bottom of the feeding pool. This will never change till our government is reformed. They no longer fight for the people. The next elections is the only thing that matters to them. If they would make the rich pay the same tax rate we do, our deficit would be much lower. Everything is backwards, the poor should have tax breaks not the rich. It is time to make term limits on government officials. If there not there to help the people, they need to get out off office. I have no job and now no income thanks to our government. Some say we are lazy just wanting a hand out. How degrading is that. And we pay them with our hard earned tax money to tell us this. I have worked all my life for everything I have. Now I have lost almost everything, I say Government reform should be next.That’s where all our money go’s

The Senate needs to be held accountable for their incompetence and lack of integrity. Shame on them for not coming up with a 100% solution for all Americans who are forced to survive on their UI.

President Obama can’t sign a bill, if Congress doesn’t get it to him. President Obama’s discussed the economy, and the need to help the displaced unemployed with UI Extentions on Monday and Tuesday. CSPAN.ORG

As of today, we have 9.7% unemployed, 55% of the workforce have taken reduced work hours, pay-cuts, unpaid leave, forced to switch to part-time, and BP Oil Corporation’s IRRESPONSIBLENESS is adding to LOST JOBS and LOST LIVES.
1.2 million who will lose their Unemployment Insurance if Republicans get their way.

The GOP have no vested interest in hearing or helping jobless people. The only communication Republicans hear is $$$$$. That’s why they listen to and only support Oil Companies, Insurance Companies, Banks, Big Corporations, and Wall Street

Corporations have increased their cash reserves to $1.84 TRILLION, THE HIGHEST FIGURE IN HISTORY! Big business and the banks, after an unprecedented bailout by the public treasury, are hoarding the funds (Americans pay this back on their IRS tax bill). BIG CORPORATIONS EXECUTIVES ARE MAKING BIG BONUSES AND GETTING SALARY INCREASES FOR SHOWING HUGE PROFITS. The cash reserves of major corporations have jumped 26 percent in one year, the largest percentage increase in nearly 60 years. The cash reserves of working people, and particularly the unemployed, have not been so fortunate.

REPUBLICANS bloc, the SENATE vote and defeat sevaral proposed extension of unemployment benefits for unemployed workers. Many of these same Senators rushed through a $700 BILLION bailout of Wall Street in 2008 in a matter of days, cannot bring itself to support even the most meager subsistence for the unemployed workers who are the victims, not the perpetrators, of the economic crisis.
WWW.CHANGE.ORG

Please everyone, take note of the names of the people in congress, and remember to tell your family and friends,“Not TO Vote For them in the Future”…
They ar heartless selfish people, that only care about there own greed. While American Families are struggling and homeless, because congress wants to drag there greed issues, and not extend unemployment,The American people that put them into office are starving.
Sen. John Tester, what are you doing? are you crazy? offering to strike the extra $25 dollar Americans been recieving. “They should take it out of your pay check”, Americans need that extra funds, just to survive.
To all the American People caught up in this Unemployment mess, and are suffering hardship, My Prayers and Concerns about your lives are with me, when I pray to God nightly.

If you are apart of the American unemployed or share the same views as the unemployed and want to have a peaceful march on Washington to show that we do need our unemployment or in support of unemployment, email me at unemploymentmarch@yahoo.com. This has to be done, a peaceful stand needs to take place soon to make a difference. Before a lot of Americans lose the little bit that they do have. We didn’t ask for the economy to be this way and it is not our fault that we can not find jobs all at the same time. We worked all of our lives and now that we need help, the people in congress is saying no! We are the ones that help pay for wars, national disasters, and the congressmen paychecks. Now they are telling us that they cannot pass a bill so we can feed and house our families. What is more important the “Oil Spill” or the unemployed and their children. I don’t think so, it’s time for a peaceful march, email me at unemploymentmarch@yahoo.com, to make a peaceful stand now.

I have worked my whole life since high school always had a job and then i got laid off back in 2008 my unemployment is done no money coming in and all these politicians can do in washington is fight with each other while people are out there losing their benifits this goes to show you that they forget who they work for as we all know they only care about themselves and what money they can put in their pockets. but they did not waste no time passing the 700 billion dollar bill that bailed out these banks and these corrupt corporations possibly the same ones who got us in this economic mess in the first place that bill was passed overnight. it really sucks when they can send billions of dollars over seas and can not even help their own people in this country.

LaReid64
it is ok that you take your time passing the bill your families have money coming in and food on the table. i am going to tier 4 i have been out of work since 2008 but i have no money coming in till you pass the bill you help all the other countries you need to help the people here no jobs and sent furniture and textiles over seas.

Republicans filibustered UI Ext bill! They’re asking for UI Ext be paid, while at the same time they’re fighting to give their Special Interest groups special tax stimulus. Rep are trying to look like they care about the deficit, but for 10 yrs (Bush Admin) they never spoke of concerns for the huge deficit they were digging us into as they approved large spending for Special Interest. The Rep debate on these UI Ext bills are like “broken record”. They want USA to use the stimulus money that is already committed to the agreed upon projects, programs, etc. Republicans want USA to “rob Peter to pay Paul”, so they can try to prolong the problem past November election. This is how they have operated for YEARS, and we’re in worse shape now because of their IRRESPONSIBLENESS. People should not be in Leadership positions if they cant make decision for the problems at hand.
Dont take my word for it. Please read links Donny Shaw and others have provided with accurate research and reporting.

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